DFB Board of Directors
2024 Season
for 2021 Lure Coursing Season are:
Brianne Butcher
President
Brianne found her heart breed, the Ibizan hound, in 2011 and became involved in the Desert Fun Bunch lure coursing club that same year. She had the #1 AKC lure coursing Ibizan hound in the U.S. in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021, and she owns the only Ibizan hound in history to achieve the LCX6 title. So you could say lure coursing is a big part of her life! She currently shares her life with 3 Beezers, "Pre", "Pippi", and "Cloudberry". She has had the pleasure of serving on the Desert Fun Bunch board of directors since 2012.
Erin Prendergast
Vice President
Erin has owned Rhodesian Ridgebacks for the majority of her life. She is actively involved in conformation and lure coursing, and tries to fill her weekends with one event or the other. She a member of the Arizona Rhodesian Ridgeback club and the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the U.S. You will always see Erin at a field trial taking more than one Ridgeback to the line to run and helping others with their dogs. She is always willing to help out when needed and loves to watch hounds perform on the field as they were bred to do.
Kathy Richards
Secretary
Kathy has served as secretary for DFB for over 5 years and is also the Lure Coursing Statistician for RRCUS (Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States). She is our current Trial Secretary who keeps all of our events running smoothly. Kathy is involved in conformation with numerous BOB and group placement wins with Ridgebacks. Kathy is also a member of the Arrowhead Kennel Club where she serves on the Board of Directors. She and her husband currently live with 3 Ridgebacks; Sammy, Jazzy, and Lillie.
Jeffrey Hunt
Treasurer
Jeff has been a member of DFB for over a decade serving as Treasurer for most of that time. You can usually find Jeff up on the ladder operating the lure during one of our events. He is also the first one to a trial and the last one to leave helping with setting and taking down the course.
Jeff is an ASFA and AKC Lure Coursing Judge (#100660).
His current hound pack consists of 2 Whippets, Doc and Seven, and a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Guga.
Shawna Swanson
Board Member
Shawna got her first Pharaoh Hound in 2008 and started lure coursing with Rory in 2009. Rory loved it, and so did her last Rottweiler (he would tag along to the trials, which resulted in him being the first Rottweiler to earn a Coursing Ability title)! Shawna is a professional handler and competes in many dog sports with her Pharaohs (obedience, rally, agility, and scent work). She currently shares her home with Reason, Jayla, & Legacy – all Dual Champion Pharaoh Hounds. A long-time club member, this is her first time serving on the Board and she’s looking forward to giving back to the sport that her dogs adore!
Donna Lynch
Board Member
Donna has owned many different breeds throughout the years. She acquired her first whippet in 1982 and has been actively involved in conformation and field trials ever since. Five years ago Donna attended her first DFB trial and she recently moved to AZ permanently. She has served as Field Chair, Paddock Master, and all around helper at all of our events. Donna is also an AKC conformation judge and she breeds and shows Whippets.
Julie Garrahan
Board Member
Julie has been a member of DFB for many years and is now returning to a position she has held prior, board member. Julie has been involved in dog sports for over 20 years. Besides being involved in lure coursing, she is very active in other performance events such as obedience and rally, and she is involved in conformation. She currently lives with 5 Ridgebacks, Roxy, Berkeley, Leon, Bodi, and Ursa who keep her very busy. Julie is an AKC lure coursing judge as well.
All members in good standing are encouraged to apply for leadership positions within the club. Nominations are made at our October meeting and the membership votes in November for the following season.
The Board of Directors are responsible for all decisions relating to club finances, events and membership in accordance with accepted bylaws.